The College of Charleston’s Center for Partnerships to Improve Education (CPIE) and the Trident Regional Education Center (TREC) will co-sponsor the first annual Connecting Community and Careers Brunch on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  The free event for middle and high school students and parents will be held at the College of Charleston North Campus (5300 International Boulevard, North Charleston, S.C.). Brunch is included and registration is required by March 19 at sctrec.org or 843.953.2742.

The Connecting Community and Careers Brunch will introduce the students and their parents to local industries and career opportunities. The program will consist of two panels: one on hospitality and tourism management and one on computer science. The panelists will be practicing professionals, college faculty members, and current college students. After an overview of each career industry is introduced, the moderator will ask questions to each panel and facilitate questions from the audience.

“In light of recent initiatives and legislation to promote career readiness to school-age children, we hope to educate young people (and their parents) about possible careers in industries that are prominent in the Charleston area,” says Courtney Howard, director of the Center for Partnerships to Improve Education.

The Center for Partnerships In Education, housed in the College of Charleston’s School of Education, Health, and Human Performance, works to connect College faculty with families and communities for the purpose of improving student outcomes, particularly in the areas of teaching/learning and health/wellness.

Trident Regional Education Center serves as the web-based center that connects Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties’ residents to career and college information and resources to strengthen the globally competitive Trident region. As a component of SC Personal Pathways to success (EEDA), this virtual center functions to enhance the education and economic development strategies in the region.